Speaking from the Heart

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Look at that grin. Do you think he's a happy camper? The Inquisitor's wish list wasn't as long as Minnie's. There were three things on his list: Playstation 3 (PS-3) , Call of Duty (World of War), and The Mummy. The PS-3 is a combination of a Christmas and a birthday gift.

Mom (far right) has been in Gainesville for since last week. Along with my sister and brother-in-law, they came to celebrate Christmas with us.

We celebrated Christmas at my paternal grandparents' home. We spent a night on Christmas Eve, and opened presents on Christmas Day. Like most children, that was the longest night for me. I remember looking out the window and saw a red light flashing in the middle of the sky. Wanting to believe Santa was real, I convinced myself it was Rudolph in the distance.

I eventually fell asleep and before I knew it, my aunt, who is 2 years younger than me, woke me up at wee hours of the morning. Along with my sister and aunt, we quietly crept upstairs to see what Santa had left for us. I was disappointed when I saw that Santa left my aunt with many unwrapped toys, and he only left 2 stockings full of little gadgets and candy for me and my sister. My doubts of believing in Santa continued.

When mom and dad decided to celebrate Christmas in our own home, I was saddened by the fact that Santa completely missed our home on Christmas Day. I realized then that my parents were Santa.

When I was a child, I thought like a child. Now that I am older, I realize that those forgotten gifts are meaningless, compare to the one Gift God gave to me and to those who believe in Him (John 3:16).

Prince Charming's Aunt Frances went home to be with Jesus on December 22, 2007. Because we weren't able to attend the annual Thanksgiving reunion, I regret that I didn't get a chance to say "good bye".

Aunt Frances (right) with her sisters Aunt Virginia (left) & Aunt Marry (right)

Aunt Frances with husband Tom, son-in-law, & daughter

When I saw Aunt Frances and Uncle Tom together, I am reminded of Mark Shultzs' song Walking Her Home. For sixty four plus years, they were never apart. It is going to be hard for Uncle Tom, because he had lost his best friend.

Our time apart is short, compare to our time together in the LORD's house.

Our Christmas tree has been up since December 1st.


The tree is surrounded with gifts. For a few years, the kids will play with their new toys, grandma and Sister will display their vases, Prince Charming will utilize his tools , and I will eventually get a new laptop. Sooner or later, these gifts will end at Goodwill. There is one gift that will not be found at Goodwill . It is not wrapped in a box, but in the middle of the tree.


The wood is a reminder of the God's gift .

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For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only Son, so that everyone one who believes in him, may not cherish, but may have eternal life. John 3:16

As I viewed the video, I envisioned my kids going through boxes of memory after I have gone home to Jesus. Will each piece of heirloom bring them a good memory of me? On the other hand, will their hearts filled with sad memories of their mom, remembering me giving them lots of quantity time, but little of quality time?

As a homeschool mom, I continue to struggle quantity with quality time. They often run together, more so during the holidays. As my Christmas "to do" list gets longer, I tend to lose focus on Jesus and my family.

This song is a good reminder for me to refocus on Jesus and my family, not on gifts, Christmas cards, decorations. etc.

Every year, our homeschool small group gets together and puts on the story of Jesus' birth at a local park. In addition to the skit, we deliver homemade ornaments and sing to residents at a local nursing home.

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I am thankful ... the doctor was able to remove Trina's (Daddy's chick's) Adenocarcinoma Cervical Cancer. She is resting at home and celebrating her daughter's 7th birthday.

I am thankful... I have nothing on my calendar for today and tomorrow. Between two Christmas plays and other school activities, it was been a busy week. Thank you, Lord for guiding us home safely after dark every night this week.

I am thankful... My blogging sisters, who visit and encourage me daily with God's Words. May their browsers leave my page, but never their hearts.

I am thankful... My children have no doubts that their dad and I love each other. They live in a home where raised angry voices are unacceptable. Prince Charming and I might have disagreements once in awhile, but the children have never witnessed us verbally abusing each other. LOL, when we flirtatiously have a disagreement in front of them, they think we're fighting.

I am thankful... Prince Charming wanted to marry me eighteen years and one day ago. He purchased an engagement ring on December 17, 1990. On our way to my parents' home on Christmas eve, he took me to our Alma Mata and proposed to me at Denny Chimes.

We were married that following summer. In a heartbeat, I would marry him over again. Like a wedding band, my love for him will never end.

I am thankful.... My children are a blessing for me and Prince Charming.

Dear Lord,

I thought eighteen years is plenty of time to enjoy the gifts you have loaned to me. I am finding out that eighteen years is too short. My son will be in college four years from now. My daughter will be in junior high next year. It will be selfish of me to ask you to stop the clock; however, help me to set my priorities: (1)less blogging & watching TV, (2) more quality, not quantity, time with each child, and (3) quick to listen and less to judge. Lord, I especially need help on the last request.Amen

No, I am not proud of Prince Charming's craftsmanship. He spent the weekend
altering the entertainment center to accommodate the 52" flat screen TV.

Before

During

It wasn't me who left the Church's restroom faucet running. I am not spoiled by the automatic faucets.

It wasn't me who has not cooked dinner for the last three days. It wasn't my family who ate the leftovers.

It wasn't me who had to meet Prince Charming at Lowe's, because he forgot his billfold again.

It wasn't me who took the advantage of leaving Minnie at church for her Christmas production , and went Christmas shopping. No, not me.

Not me, I don't believe in blogging first, house cleaning later.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6

• Praise God for my blogging buddies. I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.... (Charles R. Swindoll).
• Praise God that I am able to stay home today and to catch up on my laundry.
• Praise God, my Christmas cards are done , The Inquisitor's IB application is complete and mailed.
• A couple of The Inquisitor's friends are planning to return to public school next year. Their moms are worrying that their sons might not have the requirements to start 10th grade. Praise God that The Inquisitor is ahead of schedule.

For more Thankful thursday, click on the Clip art.

As more friends are getting divorces or going through separations, I begin to wonder about the stability of my marriage. Is Prince Charming's love tank full? Am I daily applying Gary Chapman's 5 emotional love languages: gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch?

• Gift giving -Thank God, gift giving is not Prince Charming's love language. This can get expensive. Before he buys his latest toy, he researches it. I can show fill his love tank by supporting him.
• Word of affirmation- forgiveness. This is so important when we have a disagreement before bedtime. When I am at fault, I ask for forgiveness before I close my eyes. If I don't, Prince Charming tosses and turns throughout the night. This isn't fair for him, especially when he has to rise early.
• Acts of service- Prince Charming loves an orderly house. His love tank is never full, because I am still in training. I think he has already given up hope (LOL). This is to my advantage. When he gets fed up with the chaos, he starts cleaning.
• Quality time- Playing Scrabble, our nightly ritual after dinner. My love tank is also filled.
• Physical touch- Kissing him good-bye before he leaves the house.

My Sister in Christ, Denise surprised me with "Fabulous" Blog Award. Now, here are the rules: You must pass this on to 5 Fabulous people and list 5 of your fabulous addictions.

My five addictions are:

1. Starbuck's hazelnut frappuchino
2. Anything chocolate
3. Fried rice
4. Prince Charming
5. Beef and broccoli

It is always hard for me just to pick 5 people. Therefore, I am tagging you. Please let me know if you are participating. I would love to come over and read it.

I started reading to The Inquisitor, when he was a month old. Although he didn't understand what I was saying, he laid there listening to my voice. When he entered kindergarten, his teacher taught him the joy of reading. Finally, I taught him to use his time wisely. When it was naptime for Minnie, I gave the 5 year-old Inquisitor a choice of taking a nap or reading. He took the latter. Today, he still takes an advantage of an afternoon reading.

We received his PSAT results. It is obvious that reading has helped his score in critical reading (68) and writing (53). For an 8th grader, he did well. In critical reading. he scored higher than 99% of sophomores. In writing skills, he scored higher than 86 % of sophomores. Considering that he only had algebra I and in the middle of algebra 2, he didn't do bad in math (46). He scored higher in 61% of sophomores.

By now, You are probably thinking that I am a slave driver or asking why he is taking the PSAT so early. As a homeschooled student in Florida, he has to be evaluated annually. Since he out tested k-12 exam two years ago, the next step is to start taking either the ACT, SAT, or PSAT. I chose the PSAT, because I think it is a good practice for SAT and ACT. His select index for 2008 is 171. Compare to college-bound juniors, he is in the 81%.

Here are the rules: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who much choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

If you are reading this, and would like to participate, consider yourself tagged.

Time flies. I wish I could capture today's moment and time. What about you? Do you have a moment in time you would like to treasure? Pam (You're going to Miss This), others, and myself would love to hear about it.

Everytime I listen to this song, I thank God for giving me another chance. I could have died from a gall bladder infection. This song also reminds me to take better care of myself. My husband and kids need me.

Moms, your husbands and kids need you also. Therefore, take this season of busyness in stride. When you are stressed, your immmune system weakens and you will most likely to come down with a cold (been there, done that).

For more inspired songs to touch your soul, click on the clip art.

The hardest thing about adjusting to living in Florida is having warm weather on Christmas Day. After living in Florida for 17 years, it is beginning look a lot like Christmas.

This pre-lit $300.00 Christmas tree was a bargain. I got it at 75% off after Christmas 2007. Minnie took a break from decorating.

All of the stockings are hung with care......

Minnie's work of art.

Show off your trees and decorations with Mrs. Darling @ Dishpan Dribbles.